College Football Live - CFB Live - 10/1 - Week 6 Mic Check

Episode Date: October 1, 2025

Join our crew Zubin Mehenti, Sam Acho, Roddy Jones and Pete Thamel for College Football Live. Packed with sound today, Vanderbilt's head coach Clark Lea gives his thoughts on their rematch vs Alabama and Arch Manning shares his mindset as Texas prepares for a test vs Florida. Oklahoma's head coach Brent Venables prepares for some time without John Mateer and what he thinks Michael Hawkins Jr can do to fill those shoes. Is Dabo Swinney owning the lapse with Clemson? Listen in to hear more on CFB Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you're flying Emirates business class, enjoying a good night's rest in your lie flat seat, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly Emirates, fly better. Out of the tunnel today on college football live. Plenty to discuss. Welcome inside. I'm Zubin Mahenty right off the top. After big wins over USF and Florida, can Miami complete the Sunshine State sweep with a big win over Florida?

We'll talk about it. Vandy, the unique SEC school, for many reasons. They're climbed to the top of the league, just as unique, will go inside their ascension to the top. And one month into the season, what are experts like, not like. What's ahead on the way to crowning a national champion? All that more on college football live right now. Good to be a big time week six. Texas and Florida, a matchup of two quarterbacks that could really use some good vibes right now.

here from Archmanning coming up in just a little bit. Miami, Florida State. This was setting up to be a Titanic Top Ten clash, not so much, but the vibes are still great. More on why that's the case here coming up in just a second. And then, of course, you've got Vandy at Alabama. It's been 361 days since Vanderbilt shocked the nation and won last year against the tide. The last time they won in Tuscaloosa, 19.

1884 as we look back to 361 days ago when they pulled off the win. And as you take a look at the good vibes here for the Commodores. Keep in mind this Saturday when game day is in T-Town, Johnny Mansell will be in the house. Remember, he underneath a gigantic upset for Texas A&M at Alabama, announced his heisman candidacy. And wait till you see what Diego Pavia said about this matchup. I'll have that more in just a second. 10 and a half points on Saturday outright win seven as an underdog.

We are ready to go. Clark Lee says the climb to the top for the doors is here to stay. We don't pay a lot of attention to that. We're creating our own history here. That's how we see it. And that really is the spirit of this group. It's been misunderstood outside, but it's been kind of methodically and consistent. consistently built from within.

And that's also why I feel like it has a chance to sustain is it's not, this isn't overnight. I mean, this has been a long process with with a sound foundation, the right people doing the right things the right way. He's done an amazing job as we welcome you inside Roddy Sam Pete Zubin here with you. Pete, I want to start with you. Diego Pavia said just not too long ago earlier today of the game. Get ready for this.

This is Mansell liking is talking. And if we play our game, it won't be close. And the bottom line here, Pete, is if you have a quarterback, you have a chance, and Vandy's got a quarterback. Absolutely, Zubin. And the interesting thing about Vanderbilt, when you talk to opposing coaches, is that they do not have equal talent. Their offense is filled with misdirection plays, with motions, with shifts, with eye candy, smoke, whatever you want to call it. But the game plan is simple. It fits on a fortune cookie.

It's run Diego run. Diego Pobby is third in the SEC and designed quarterback run place. He's averaging 5.2 yards of carry, and his Vanderbilt enters this gauntlet. They play Alabama. They play LSU. They play Missouri. They're going to need to run the quarterback opposing coaches. Tell me, in order to equalize the talent against those teams, look for Pobie to have 15 plus carries on Saturday, Zuban.

Well, Sam and I both made faces when we heard the Diego Pavia quote just a second ago. But we have to remember the last quarterback that talked that talk against Alabama going into the game with Tommy Castellanos and he walked out of there with a dove. So maybe Diego Pavia is onto something. You know, one of the big ways that Vanderbilt has been able to do this, they've been excellent through the portal. But they took an approach that a lot of teams are taking now. They went and found an offensive coordinator in Tim Beck and Jerry killed the head coach of New Mexico State. They were together there. And they transported them to them, they transported them to Vanderbilt with a quarterback and Diego Pavia who knew the officer.

offense. And so he was able to be a coach on the field and really teach this group of guys. And yes, they have developed to be more than just Diego Pavia. You mentioned it though, Pete. He is a big part of being the straw that stirs that drink. But it really starts with the fact that those two coaches came over from New Mexico State with Diego Pavia, brought an attitude. And we've seen teams around the country start to take that approach of finding an offensive coordinator quarterback combo to really microwave the offense. And Sam, what's your biggest key here in this game? 4208.

And now I'm not talking about the price of a nosebleed seat to the game. 42 minutes and eight seconds was the time of possession that Vanderbilt had last year in the game versus Alabama. Alabama had just over 17 minutes. Vandy had 42. So the line of scrimmage, time of possession is going to be everything. If Alabama wants to get back on the winning side of this formula, they will have to control the line of scrimmits. It's going to have to be led by the offensive line for Alabama, led by guys like Parker, Parker Brailsford, their center. Lookham Forby, one of the tackles.

Kane Proctor, another tackle. So far this season, Vanderbilt's been a team that has controlled the time of possession. Even this year, their top 20 in TOP, time of possession. So for this game to go the way that Alabama wants it to go, they need to dominate up front and dominate the line of scrimmage. No doubt, Sam, they're going to have to stop the run. They gave up 227 yards rushing against Georgia, 230 against Florida State at the beginning of the year.

In between those two games, they were pretty good. but they do indeed have to stop the run. Let's not forget, though, that the talk coming out of last weekend when Alabama went to Georgia was, is Ty Simpson the best quarterback in America? Not the SEC. I mean, this dude is playing at an unbelievable level since that Florida State game. And I will say, like, all the hype around this game and the fact that game day is going there, a lot of it hinges on the fact that Vanderbilt is 5 and 0.

But Alabama is still a double-digit point favorite. And if Alabama were to get upset in this one with the trend, of hype rolling down the tracks, that I think Kailin DeBoer has a bigger issue than we originally thought. And even more so, this Vanderbilt team is not a team to be overlooked. We talked about maybe this is a success sustained, is it a flash in the pan? You heard from Clarkley earlier, they built a program or a building a program that is going to be able to compete in the SEC.

So that's the first piece. But the second piece, too, to your point, Roddy, Alabama has to be able to respond from that week one loss of Florida State. to respond after a big time win versus Georgia. I think it's going to be a big time clash, and I can't wait to watch this game. There's no question about it. Vanderbilt is such a unique school for so many reasons in the SEC.

Alabama, of course, has been the standard bearer, and that's where a game day will be Saturday morning. This is not exactly a rivalry Vanderbilt in Alabama, but Miami and Florida State certainly is with both teams in the top 25. This is going to be, wow, look at that. seven meetings. These schools are used to being having a number next to their name. And this is really incredible. Let's talk about it here with Pete. All right, Pete, the bottom line is had Virginia now pulled a stunner on Friday in WOT. This would have been a momentous game for both schools

and the ACC. But either way, this is still setting up to be a very big matchup on Saturday. Yeah, Zubin, with Florida State 18 and Miami 3, this is the highest stakes in this matchup by rankings of both teams since 2013. And look, when the ACC added Miami in 2004, this is what they envisioned. There was a run from 2000 that went on eight years or eight matchups because they played once in a bull where these teams met in the top 10. It was a run of dominance. And we're getting a little bit of the whiff of that nostalgia in the air this weekend.

This is a rivalry revitalized by Florida State's hot start in Miami asserting itself as one of the best teams in the country. Remember, Zubin, Miami has not won the ACC in football since joining in 2004. They could make a loud claim to that this weekend. It's really one of the most incredible stats. Every time you say it, it almost seems like it's hard to believe. Roddy, I know you're kind of keeping your eye on both lines of scrimmage, kind of for both teams here in this matchup.

Yeah, definitely. I think that matchup between Miami's offensive line and Florida State's defensive line and vice versa is going to define this game. And a lot of it has to do with the fact that Miami's. has been incredibly dominant on both lines of scrimmage and all of the games that they've played. You go back and watch that Notre Dame game and the offensive line was phenomenal,

running the football and the defensive line, getting after CJ Carr. Look at the Florida game. I think Ruben Bain set up a tent right next to DJ Lagway in the backfield. And so if Florida State is going to win this game, they're going to have to control the lines of scrimmage at least get to neutral more often than not.

They did that against Alabama. I thought they fell short of that against Virginia. So which Florida State O-line D-line is the real one? They are up for their biggest test this week against Miami. But the problem, Roddy, to your point of the Florida State defensive line is they've been a little bit too much bend, but don't break. That first game versus Alabama, I think it was a 19-play drive that scored. This last week versus Virginia, there was a couple 15 and 16 play drives. They're not giving up too many big plays on the ground, but there are a few times where the Florida State defensive line is not in their gap.

or even more so, there would be a times where guys are in their gap. And like we saw last week, maybe a safety gets run over by Virginia running back and finds his way into the end zone. So it's been a little bit of bed, but don't break. But there's too much leakage coming, in my opinion, from that Florida State defensive line that Miami can expose. Leakage. It's a good word, Tim. We'll have to use that one.

I think the other thing for Florida State is you've got to tackle better. Statistically, they missed more tackles. If you look at the numbers that we get, they missed more tackles against us. Alabama than they did Virginia, but the timeliness and where those mistackles happen felt like they were backbreakers against Virginia, allowing big plays after. So Florida State's going to have to tackle better. This is the best skill group that they faced all year with the Miami hurricanes coming to town.

So if the tackling isn't better, then they got no shot in this game. A couple of great matchups. Look forward to seeing those on Saturday. On the way here on college football live, Archmanich hitting the road. He'll talk about it again for the first time since you. know when and the road to accountability for Davos Sweeney wait till you see who he's putting the onus for the tiger's flame on that is next this giving tuesday cam h is counting on your support together we can forge a better path for mental health by creating a future where Canadians can get the

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Get insurance that's really big on care. Find an agent today at Dejardin.com slash business coverage. Just a reminder. Saturday, Kentucky at Georgia, Vanderbilt at Alabama, where game day will be, and then Miami of Florida State,

not the wattage, maybe we thought a week ago, but Pete mentioned a moment the ACC, and certainly the Cains, have been waiting for. After a buy, Arch Manning and Texas are back. They're back on the road. And here's what Arch wants to see away from DKR.

Yeah, it's really just all about us and executing our plays. And you've got to over communicate and play within yourself, not try to do too much. Maybe things didn't go our way. I don't quite like we liked it the first few weeks as an offense, but we're going to continue to battle and we're going to continue to get better every week. Yeah, they're a really good defense. Got a lot of talent. That front is really good. And the DBs are good. So they're well coached We're going to have our hands full. So, Roddy, you know this. It's another intense environment here for Arch.

It is. And it's going to be quite the journey going into the swamp and getting his first big start on the road, or excuse me, second big start on the road this year. He didn't quite pass the test against Ohio State. How far has Arch come? This Florida defense did a decent job against the Miami offense that was a little disjointed.

in the game that they played. So how far has Archcombe? How much confidence did he get by flexing on those Sam Houston State defenders? That's going to be the big question that I have going into this one. And in a couple of weeks, Texas is going to take on Oklahoma. On that note, Rent Venables, introducing you to Michael Hawkins Jr., the quarterback for now. Really excited about seeing Mike Hawkins back out there. And we talked a lot about him on last Thursday.

So I don't want to be real redundant. But he had a good bye week. had an excellent fall camp, and the team believes in him. I love his level of consistency when it comes to his body of work, and then he's got great self-awareness, too. A lot of guys, they have their head in the sand when it comes to self-awareness, and it stunts their growth. Mike's a guy that has great self-awareness,

and to me, has a growth mindset. Okay, Sam, so they got Ken State Nomad Teer. What are the expectations here for Saturday for this kid? I'm excited for Michael Hawkins. Why? Because he played a little bit last season as a freshman, but now we asked better talent around him, a new offensive coordinator. He has healthy receivers. He has stars at offensive lines, starting with Michael Fasusi, who's a true freshman as well.

So there, and oh, by the way, he got experience earlier in the season in his new office, got a chance to play a little bit in the second half versus Temple. So there's a lot of confidence in the people around Michael Hawkins, but I think the Michael Hawkins that we're going to see this season is going to be far improved from what we saw last season based off the experience inside of him within him, and also the experience and the benefit outside of him as well. So you use the word base, Sam, based on preseason expectations. I think a ton of people were excited to see UNC and Clemson.

Not so much here, though these two guys have an interesting history as they get set to meet on Saturday. Take a look at this. Second game between head coaches with multiple FBS national titles. That would be, of course, Dabo, and multiple Super Bowl titles. That would be Bill Belichick, Bill Wals. Walsh and Joe Paterno had it happen a little more than 30 years ago. Davo Sweeney, putting the blame on where it needs to be for Clemson's struggles.

I mean, we have just failed as coaches. I mean, I'm not taking accountability away from the players. I mean, they've got accountability in this too. I mean, you know, you've got some guys that got to play better. But it's just an absolute coaching failure. That's just, I don't know the other way to say it. And I'm not pointing a finger, I'm pointing a thumb. I mean, it starts with me because I hire everybody and I empower everybody and equip everybody.

And when players don't play to their potential, to me, that's coaches. That's on us. Roddy, let's start with you here. I know you're calling this game this weekend. So I know you're kind of checking out all the press conferences, what both sides are saying. What's your takeaway here after a month's worth of incredible drama behind them? Mike for Davo, that that's what he came out with as we start October. Yeah, so first off, he's coming off of a bye week.

And so he probably had a chance to reflect. You know, the last couple of times he's been a little bit more defensive in the press conferences. This time, you know, he's sort of taking it on himself. He's trying to press the right buttons. You know, a few weeks ago, he was challenging his team, his players to play better. Now he's saying it's on us as coaches. And I think ultimately, like, it is.

and obviously he said it, but they've got incredible talent. A lot of those guys played on this team last year, team that went to the college football playoff and competed, at least offensively, competed really well against Texas. And ultimately fell short. There are a lot of expectations coming in and the inability to manage the expectations that were heaped on this team and get this team to play well.

I think has to be on the coaches. You can put it on the players, but ultimately it's a coach's job to get the guys ready to play. And Clemson has not been ready to play all too often. But it's not just the expectations. It's also the execution, at least from a defensive perspective, this Clemson defense hasn't executed to a standard of a winning football team. You see whether they're miscommunications or players not understanding what they're supposed to do

or maybe it wasn't taught the way that they know. I love what Davos Sweeney said about the fact that this is on the coaches. Because if players aren't playing up to their standard, then maybe you simplify the defense. Maybe you love to play man. Okay, maybe you got to play more zone because our guys. Can't play man. Those are the kind of conversations and changes that need to start happening as you get a chance to self-reflect over a by week. Yeah, it was it was interesting to hear Garrett Riley. We talked to him today. It was interesting to hear Garrett Riley talk about some of the changes that they could potentially make. And he said, look, we can't change a whole lot. One, we believe what we're doing. But two, if you start to throw out everything that you were doing and institute all new stuff, players can tell that there's panic behind closed doors.

Players start to sense that you may not believe in them as much. So they believe in what they're doing. There will be little tweaks here and there to make them better. But they've also had some injuries that have hurt them. Now it shouldn't crater them to the point where they are. But the injuries on the offensive line to Tristan Lee has hurt. The injury on the back end to Khalil Barnes has hurt. And then you look at the lack of success that some of these guys have had early on led to them pressing a little bit.

So I think this Clemson team is just preaching, hey, look, the things that we are doing, we have done in the past and they have worked. Let's continue to work. They're not that far away, and I know everybody says that, but they're really not, and they're hoping to get on the right side of things this week. And the best part about what Dabo Sweeney said is that he's taking ownership. He's not blaming anyone else. He's not pointing the finger anywhere else.

People say, well, you're pointing one this way. You've got three more pointing back at you. The fact that you are taking ownership means that you can go about making a change. Now, that might look different for different people, but you have the ability to change the outcome. If you blame it on the players and try to get new players, all of a sudden that's pushing the ball down the field. I think Davosweeney is taking a leadership approach and saying,

hey, I'm at fault. I will make the changes that are necessary, that internal locus of control. Okay, very serious conversation here. Let's get to a little bit of levity here. You may know Texas A&M is one of the most penalized teams in the country. Almost 10 yellow flags a game. Head coach Mike Elko has an answer to clean this up.

All right, so I'll let you guys in. So I've tried all kinds of things. So today what we started was the Texas A&M football coach's Cabo Fund. And so what's going to happen now is every time one of our players gets a penalty, they're going to contribute to the coach's Cabo Fund. And so we'll see if that works. Roddy, they got this single portal transfer window. They think they got time to go to Cabo now.

Are they kidding? What's going on here? Look, if other people are paying for it, you find time to get. go to Cabo. I just can't wait to see Mike Elko lean back with sunscreen on his face with one of those sunning things on him. Colin Klein next to him on one side, like he's got the whole coaching staff just hanging out there bathing because they get so many penalties that these guys that are highly paid now are getting fine so the coaches can go to Cabo. But we also need to add a, hey, coach, if you made a bad call, send it to my bank account fund because there needs to be some kind of

reciprocal effect. Coaches aren't going to get penalized very often, but let's say coach makes the call that he wishes he wouldn't have made. Go ahead and throw something in the bank account. Fair enough. Venmo goes both ways, as we know. On the way here on college football live. One month in the book, September surprises. Who's the September Heisman? And the guys tell us who has been the biggest surprise, positive or negative. So many choices. So many storylines. We'll discuss Snap up Ancestry DNA's lowest price ever in our incredible cyber sale. With 50% off Ancestry DNA kits, it's the perfect time to help a loved one unwrap the past. And with their latest update, they'll discover their family origins like never before.

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Because at Desjardin business, we speak the same language you do. Business. So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us. And contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk, business. you know, September is done. First four or five weeks of the season in the books. We're now on to

October. So, Sam, you can answer this question any way you want. Biggest surprise in the season because we've seen some positive surprises. We've seen some negative surprises. Your call. The Virginia Cavaliers and not just because they beat Florida State last week. That team should be undefeated. If not for

not even a fourth quarter, but a 30 seconds left interception versus NC State by Chairman Morris, this would have been a team that's undefeated going into last week. And so I've been really impressed by Virginia how consistent they've been under Tony Elliott. Yeah. It's year four for Tony Elliott. It's game four.

It's the game they'll be talking about forever. All right. So let's take a look at the Heisman odds. We always have that September Heisman. Remember years of guys we gave Gino Smith the Heisman after September? This is why we have to wait. The favorite right now is you take a look, Dante Moore, off that tremendous performance at Penn

State. Still plenty of football to go. We'll find out what happens on a Saturday night in December. But Roddy, Give me your September Heism, the guy that has shown out the most in the first month of the season. I love all five of those guys, and honestly, I probably should have picked

Dante Moore based on the performance that he just had. But I went running back, Zubin, because the running backs need some love. Give me a Maude Hardy from the zoo. The guy leads the nation in rush yards, 7.1 yards per carry. He's broken more tackles than anybody in the country. He's my September Heisman.

Give it back to a running back. He's been a great player. He is a transfer along with Missouri transfer quarterback, Bo Tribula. They have been powered by a transfer in QB. Transfer at Running Back off to an undefeated start. See you tomorrow.